AHA urges OSHA not to finalize COVID-19 emergency temporary standard

The AHA today urged the Occupational Safety and Health Administration not to finalize its emergency temporary standard for occupational exposure to COVID-19, saying it continues to oppose establishing new regulations that are not fully aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s evolving evidence-based guidance.

“With the constantly evolving, science-based CDC guidance and recommendations, CMS’ vaccination requirement and existing OSHA general standards, we strongly believe that an inconsistent and overly strict OSHA COVID-19 health care standard is not necessary, would cause confusion and will ultimately lower hospital employees’ morale and worsen unprecedented personnel shortages in hospitals,” AHA wrote. “It is essential to a well-functioning health care system that only one set of science-based standards be applied to health care providers, and that these standards be aligned across federal agencies.”

OSHA last month requested additional comments on certain topics in its interim final rule, and announced an informal public hearing beginning April 27 to gather additional information from stakeholders as it develops a final rule.